DEFILES Synonyms: 132 Similar and Opposite Words

defiles 1 of 2

noun

plural of defile

as in ravines

a narrow opening between hillsides or mountains that can be used for passage the cattle, once they were cornered in the defile, were quickly rounded up

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defiles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of defile

as in pollutes

to make unfit for use by the addition of something harmful or undesirable supplies of meat that had been defiled by maggots

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as in violates

to treat (a sacred place or object) shamefully or with great disrespect art conservators were careful not to do anything that might defile the holy relic

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of defiles

Verb

Moral and intellectual descent is inherent in a political project that sets out to undermine liberal democracy, reject the inclusive egalitarianism of modern America, find enemies to demonize, and heroize a leader who defiles common decency. — George Packer, The Atlantic, 24 Nov. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defiles

Noun

Rising from near the Aegean coast to 9,573-foot Mytikas, Greece’s highest peak, the mountain encompasses forests, ravines, limestone cliffs, and alpine habitat with unusually rich plant diversity.

— Bailey Berg, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Hundreds, thousands of solar panels are distributed like macropixels among ravines, pampas, slopes, and wherever there’s room for them.

— Cristina Dorador, The Dial, 14 July 2026

Definition of ravines

Verb

The Chenab River runs red with blood while poison pollutes the five rivers of Punjab and spreads through the fertile soil.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026
New rules require hundreds of businesses to clean up runoff from large parking lots that pollutes creeks and beaches.

— Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026

Definition of pollutes

Verb

The reforms would also tie an executive’s overall pay to safety metrics and impose shareholder penalties of up to $10 million per violation if a company violates safety rules.

— Linh Tat, Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026
The lawsuit argued in part that the plan violates the First Amendment, which courts have historically held protects the right to receive information.

— BrieAnna J. Frank, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of violates

Noun

Canine teams also have been used in the search through steep canyons and dense vegetation.

— Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
As the ribbon of asphalt climbs, clinging to rocky hillsides, the wall of trees falls away at times, revealing plunging canyons.

— Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of canyons

Noun

The outdoorsy traveler hiking the gorges in Crete or the trails in Andros should bring a pair of sturdy shoes, a hat for sun protection, and tons of SPF.

— Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 27 July 2026
The list spans the country, from New England villages awash in crimson and gold to alpine landscapes in Colorado and dramatic river gorges in the Pacific Northwest.

— Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of gorges

Noun

The historic hilltop Fortress of San Leo affords visitors panoramic views of the valleys below.

— Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Players can peer over the sculpture’s steep cliffs and drop down into its cavernous valleys at their leisure, without the time and cost constraints of visiting the actual sculpture in person.

— News Desk, Artforum, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of valleys

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defilements

defiles

defiling

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“Defiles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defiles. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of defiles

noun

verb

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